RPM welcomes small businesses
The Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project has begun, and there are many opportunities for small businesses to participate!
This page provides updates on upcoming and events and opportunities for small businesses, including businesses certified as Small Business Enterprise (SBE) or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), along with resources to strengthen the small business community during the construction period.
For small business and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) questions, including how to get certified, call us at (312) 681-2601 or email us at diversity@transitchicago.com.
Upcoming events
CTA Building Small Businesses Program
In 2019, we announced our new, innovative CTA Building Small Businesses Program to help small businesses get financially ready to bid on RPM contracts. We have held several working sessions and continue to hold sessions virtually. Below are some past events.
Check out a news story about one of the DBE participants, Smelly Fresh.
CTA Building Small Businesses working session
CTA, Walsh-Fluor Meet with USMCA, Chatham Business Assn and HACIA
June 20, 2019 -- CTA and Walsh-Fluor Design-Build Team (DBT) took its SBE road show to the US Minority Contractors Association (USMCA) Chicago chapter membership meeting in Crestwood. Walsh-Fluor DBT shared information with approximately 35 attendees about the RPM Phase One project, including upcoming bidding opportunities for DBE companies. Rev. Larry Bullock, Founder and CEO of USMCA, hosted the event and shared his enthusiasm for the positive impacts and opportunities the RPM project will bring to the DBE community.
The Chatham Business Association hosted CTA & Walsh-Fluor at its monthly meeting on June 11, 2019. The Walsh-Fluor team introduced themselves and gave a 20 minute presentation on the RPM project to more than 40 attendees, providing information on the project, construction schedules and contact information. After the conclusion of the presentation, we held an informative Q&A session that was then following by networking time.
On May 8, 2019, the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, or HACIA, hosted CTA & Walsh-Fluor at its monthly meeting to get any update from Walsh-Fluor on RPM, followed by a Q&A and networking. More than 100 HACIA members attended the event.
CTA and Walsh-Fluor meet with the USMCA on June 20, 2019.
CTA and Walsh-Fluor talk to members of the Chatham Business Association.
HACIA members learn about RPM opportunities from Walsh-Fluor's David Shier.
Small business opportunity knocks! "Meet the Contractor" small business series kicks off in April 2019
April 23, 2019 -- CTA kicked off a roadshow with the RPM contractor, Walsh-Fluor, to meet with small businesses and professional organizations about how to participate in the RPM project. The first "Meet the Contractor" meeting was held on April 23 at CTA headquarters, attended by nearly 60 small businesses.
Walsh-Fluor and CTA kicked off the “Meet the Contractor” series in April 2019.